Relief

Dare I say that today was a better day?  I mean, I woke up normally, without the feelings of dread, at least.  I am awake now -- tomorrow will be a coffee day, I think -- but that is nothing new, and honestly, I can deal with that (sort of).  I was busy and productive, and then after work I did some other work -- catching up on stuff, OC things, etc.  Not nearly enough, of course, but... I will take it.

"Hoosiers" was on tonight, and it was quite wonderful to watch.  I think it speaks -- even now -- to what we always need, which is redemption; all of the main characters, if you think about it, crave that.  One could also say that all of the main characters are running from something as well, and in some ways... well, we are all seeking something else in life, and I think you can say we are running from that.

Why Is Everyone Getting Their Tattoos Removed? | GQ
This could be me, but wouldn't it be better and easier to not get them in the first place?  Someday I want to calculate how much we as a society spend on ink (and now, removing them) and I wonder what we could spend that money on instead.  On second thought, maybe we do not.

America Underestimates the Difficulty of Bringing Manufacturing Back — Molson Hart
The pundit's dilemma - by Noah Smith - Noahpinion
Two things here.  One, between the Biden plan and the Trump plan, you would have had a good industrial policy, but as one of the authors note, these plans are mainly done to promote the electoral fortunes of the Presidential coalition, and the result is that on the whole it is less good.  That said, there seems to be a consensus among everyone that we need to Make America Manufacture Again, and Trump (like Biden)...so in that case... I think the issue that we let so much capacity go away, and like a good conservative, it is easier to preserve it in the first place.  Now of course, we are putting Humpty Dumpty together again, but...

Francis, the Pope who alienated good Catholics - The Conservative Woman
I would say "all Catholics," but that is just.. me.  And all the good Catholics.

Oddness

Very odd; I was so... nervous?  Apprehensive?  Stressed?  All of today, or at least the morning.  Not sure why; it was a normal day, mostly.  But I was keyed up until the afternoon, and it affected...everything?  I certainly wore a path to the bathroom and drank plenty of coffee.  Now, tonight...don't feel like sleeping, but also sort of down.  Odd.  I think tomorrow should be more normal.  Or I hope so...

Some good news -- I cut the grass today.  It was quite long, my neighbors did it, and it was about time, given that we will have crappy weather tomorrow.  The yard was dry enough, which was good.  I forgot that they chewed up the back yard putting the new pipe in, so it was a bit bumpy.  I also forgot to pick up the twigs beforehand (I became quite proficient at going around them and picking them up as I passed by) and that I need to weed whack...and as I need a new string for the trimmer, I will have to pick that up ASAP (sort of).  I also need to take out the recycling and clean out the garage; I do like all the space I added, and I should get rid of the crap in there.  Not this week, of course, but sometime.  Like everything else.

Dare I say that Donald Trump did Poilievre no favors this election cycle?  I realize he doesn't care, but 1) I think he would have found it easier to get what he wants done with him in charge and 2) Carney is another Powell type, and the type of person that the Donald doesn't like...I would also add that the Carney types are the ones who made our housing costs so high (now).  To be sure, the Donald has his own issues...

 The New Partisan Divide Is Old Gen Z vs. Young Gen Z - POLITICO
Interesting and I think spot on; if you came of age during the pandemic -- and the reaction to it -- you would feel that yes, no one had your back, and you would feel that it is best to tear shit up.  And that would be correct!

Why Democrats Should Hate (And Republicans Should Love) Barack Obama, the Foundational MAGA Warrior
Interesting.  Not sure I believe it fully, but there is something to be said...

Busy Weekend

Busy weekend.  Wedding Friday and Saturday -- it was fun but there was a vibe of words cannot describe the awesome.  Also, mainly, I was up late both nights, so I was dragging today.  Let's not discuss that I am up now...  Today was the city chicken luncheon at church -- the next installment of the roof fundraiser.  It was fine -- not as many people as last time, a bit smoother, we were able to start cleaning sooner -- but it was still a long day.  Then I had to stop by my sister's for a bit, and I needed milk (going to need some coffee this week), so off to Aldi.  Then to catch up on some work.  Rah.

It was a bit jarring today, walking up the front steps of church this morning...the doors were wrapped in black bunting, representing the death of Pope Francis and the vacant empty see.  I am not a fan of the Francis pontificate, of course, but it is still sad and a time of change and reflection for the Church.  I do wonder who the Cardinals will choose...

Also had food pantry duty Saturday.  Busier than expected -- it was a bit cool and a bit overcast, and it seemed to keep people away early, but it was busier as the day went on...one funny thing.  We have this large display sign out in front (as if advertising a sale) and I do not like it, as when we are busy, it attracts people -- many of whom live out of service areas and have often already been here...  I keep joking that the Village is a neighborhood where things disappear.  Anyways, a client from outside our zip codes showed up... I told her we could help her but once.  She gave me a look as if I was nuts, and I was like "Look at the sign!"  I realize I have to amuse myself sometimes, but...

One thing not done this weekend was catching on the archived J! episodes I have missed, so...tomorrow is another day.  This does not include all of the other shows in the queue; I am despairing of ever getting through them...

Blasts From the Past

 Oskar Kokoschka, Hermine Moos, and the Alma Mahler Doll — The Public Domain Review

“I Am Making the World My Confessor”: Mary MacLane, the Wild Woman from Butte — The Public Domain Review

Well, these articles were...interesting.  Leave it at that.  Sometimes I wonder if the Hapsburgs would still be around and in charge if they -- and their subjects -- weren't running around committing various acts of unlawful carnal knowledge with every living thing (I suspect) in sight.  Or, as I like to say, this is why I vote Republican.

Warren pressed over defense of Biden’s mental acuity in podcast interview
This is pretty funny, since even a libtard blogger is calling her out on this.  I mean, if they can do it, why can't we?  I know this is me, but I would be on every Democrat about this, and we really to hold hearings on this.  As a matter of fact, with all of the books coming out, you could just bring up the witnesses, read them the quotes, show them the clips, and watch them squirm.  Of course, we will not, but...

Interesting day -- lots of work, so I have a bunch of things to read, but that can wait.  Personally, my inbox is mainly empty and I have been getting rid of links, which, as you know, I feel is... a sign of progress.  Rah.  This is going to be the new normal for a couple of weeks, I think, which is fine, but... at least it is spring (I hope) -- the weather is good (need to fire up the lawn mower!), it is warmer and sunnier, and I cannot help but think for now...well, time to put away the winter coats and such.  Actually, they are on the laundry pile, so...

I am mid-way through a book about the German army in WWI; it is fairly interesting, written by a UK author and it often discusses how the two armies fought and thought about each other.  One thing that strikes me is that the British continually remarked upon the resilience of the Germans; no matter the situation, no matter the scramble of men and material... they could quickly (and effectively) put together a force that could counterattack, defend, maneuver, or all of the above.  And that is the funny thing... because in WWII, the Brits (and the Americans) had this same idea.  I don't know, but you would think the second time around -- guys like Monty were field officers in WWI -- would have picked this up?  But they didn't; you read about the war, and how often did we think that the Germans were on the ropes, and sure enough -- Market Garden, the Bulge, a host of lesser actions -- it would be the Allies who were on the mat.  I would love to go back and ask them what they were thinking...

A Time For Smoke

Much to discuss, as evinced by my being off from the blog for three days.  Holy Saturday started fine -- I got up early, did some errands and chores, handled stuff, and then off to church for the blessing of the baskets, which was... fine?  I mean, I rather like this tradition, and even if it was something different -- everyone was to bring the baskets to the altar for consecration -- it was still nice.  I had the basics but that's all you need, right?  Not sure what happened after, but I just sort of crashed and caught up on work.  This was prolly fine -- it was Holy Saturday, Christ is in the tomb after all -- but it was just odd.

Sunday was Easter and it was...quite nice.  Mass was beautiful -- a bit long, of course, but it is good to see the place full, even if it is but twice a year.  But the crowd was nice (lots of pics in front of the altar, and I even took some family shots), the church was beautiful, the weather decent.  I do marvel at the homilies; not that it was bad, but how exactly do you top the Gospel of the Resurrection?  You really can't, but you've got to try, I guess.  Anyways, after Mass it was off to Michigan to see Favorite Niece, sister, and brother-in-law.  It was a little more than three hours there -- about two on the turnpike, one in MI.  The turnpike would be easier if there weren't so many construction zones; you get to a good rate of speed, and then...slow down.  Sigh.  It's not that bad off the pike -- farm country, Trump country (lots of signs!), but a lot of two-lane roads, and I got behind a truck...alas.  It was good to see the family -- we had lots of fun, plenty of snark and slams, feasting, etc.  For reasons, I decided to go back home Sunday night, so I spent about as much time in the car as I did visiting.  Oi.  But it was good to be home, using my own bathroom, sleeping in my own bed, and being productive at work -- I will have a busy couple of weeks starting tomorrow, so... getting the ducks in the row was a good idea.

Monday, of course, one woke up to the death of Pope Francis.  I think my Facebook post sums my feelings exactly.  Much like the Fed or POTUS on trade, I get what he was doing -- and largely why -- but it wasn't working, and to carry on... as I told my college roomie, the TLM seems to be the one thing getting people back in the pews, so... let's sniff it out?  The Vatican finances remain a mess, the pedophiles remain unpunished, and I think it is fair to say that many people strenuously object to the.... moral relativism he brought out.  I hope the new Pope will be....well, recognize the Catholic part of the Catholicism.  Like this:
As Catholic Church Enters New Era, Conservative U.S. Members Push It Right - WSJ

Mexico Border Crossings Grind to Halt as Trump’s Tough Policies Take Hold - WSJ
Dare I say this is what the average Trump voter wanted?  And we're getting it!  This is good!  I wonder what will happen if we start deporting people by the bunch. but I think most GOPers (and plenty of others) wanted a secure border, and we are getting it.

America's Looming Food Bank Crisis
As I so often say, the people who voted for Bidenomics deserve to have it full-bore, and now they are getting it.  More seriously... this could be me, but this is yet again one of the things we should never have funded in the first place -- food banks and pantries are charities -- and government should be in the business of developing industries and jobs.  Oi.  The issue here, of course, is when and where does it stop?

Breaking the Fast

I survived Good Friday.  I always say that the fasting and the abstinence and generally moral behavior is harder yesterday, as you've been doing it all Lent and you are ready to let your hair down, if you will.  Today it was not so hard.  One, I was busy -- lots of work meetings -- so there was little time to reflect upon the fact that you are not snacking, should be praying, etc.  Two...for some reason, this year, it wasn't so bad; not until tonight, when I made a late Meijer run to get stuff on sale and bought a bag of chips, which, due to my low blood sugar, I can now partially devour in good conscience.  Rah!

Had a haircut today -- my stylist took ill during my original one and it was re-scheduled for today.  Ok.  Not quite my thing, but...  anyways, it was funny; I decided to get dinner at Holy Name before I went, and when I arrived...there was quite the line.  To be sure, I was not surprised (that much) but it was still annoying, as I had somewhere to be and was borderline hangry (from impatience).  The line moved well enough, but I still decided to get it to go.  This was probably wise, as I made it to Lakewood in plenty of time.  Of course, I had to find a space to park, which is not so easy, and, as I like to say, in Lakewood it is "West Side location/East Side driving (and parking, and morals, and politics...for now).  Anyways, my stylist told me that she had been delayed on the way to work a live, outdoor Procession of the Stations of the Cross.  She was fascinated by this, and I spend much of my visit explaining to her how Catholicism 101 works.  She admitted she was not exactly churched, if you will, but I was equally fascinated by this; I guess most of my friends are as religious/pious/trained enough to know how this works.

Questioning Biden’s Capacities Was Taboo a Year Ago. Now It’s Everywhere. - WSJ
Um...yes.  Or, as I like to say, some of us had no problem doubting his mental capacities -- to say nothing of that of his supporters -- from Day One, and we are still waiting for our vindication.  Ahem.

The US has a single rare earths mine. Chinese export limits are energizing a push for more | AP News

Dare I say this is a good thing, but shouldn't this have been done before?  It's not like we just woke up today and realized we need these things.

Many presidents have tried to revamp Africa policy. Trump is doing it. - POLITICO

I think this is exactly correct -- that it is time to develop these countries so that they do not need so much aid, or none at all.  Of course, I think of our own welfare system, which have not been able to do...of course, most of the time, the political incentive is not to do anything -- those who rob Peter to pay Paul will always have the vote of Paul -- but maybe now, well... it is a start.

Trump’s Most Important Relationship Is Ending. And the Break-Up Isn’t Pretty. - POLITICO
This is exactly correct!  The press made him -- he was good copy, an easy story (I think we all know I think reporters are lazy), a quote machine, and a guaranteed seller of papers, so...  I mean, of course they will complain about him now, but given his fondness for slights (imagined or not) and settling scores....well, it is beautiful to watch.

Holy Thursday

I made sure to listen to Jerry Cirino's speech at the City Club today.  Not that I was disappointed, but I expected more fireworks.  Maybe all the protesters outside were the angry types, or the ones inside made a calculation that if you don't like what they are doing now... it could be worse.  As for the speech itself, it was... fine?  Made some good points -- no one really knows how much we spend on public education, or the tax and millage rates, for instance.  He pointed out the liberal bias in the universities, and I rather appreciated his shot at cleveland.com -- their shitty commentary is affecting funding in the region.  It is a nice touch, and rather than call them out for being wrong...

Went to the Mass for Holy Thursday tonight.  Quite nice.  I mean, I wouldn't say it was terribly well attended, but there were plenty from the Polish community there.  I was able to avoid foot-washing duty, and I remembered to bring my pyx and take Communion to the choir loft -- full house up there today, and I barely got the hosts in.  They appreciated it, though as I say... I am just doing my (volunteer) job.  Having been involved in it, it is quite moving to see the taking apart/stripping of the altar.  Everything goes, even the altar clothes and the candles, and at the end you have a largely dark church and people congregating at one of the side altars, where the Blessed Sacrament is taken until Holy Saturday.  Dare I say that I made sure to snack up to try and maintain the fast as best as I can tomorrow...  we are not Hope and Changers here, you know.  

Funny; lots of little (and not-so-little) things popped up at work today, and while I am sure I will get them done, the logistics will be a little tight.  This is what they are paying me for, of course, but I think we all know I prefer a little more...stability.

Hawley’s change of heart reflects evolving politics of Medicaid - Roll Call
They won't, of course, but some GOP Senator should say "Gee, that's nice, but if Missouri voters want Medicaid so badly, they should have to pay for it -- as they voted for -- and not expect the voters in my state to pay for it."  Medicaid is on an unsustainable path, and we have to pay for it...

The Tactics Elon Musk Uses to Manage His ‘Legion’ of Babies—and Their Mothers - WSJ
I guess between this and the Donald...well, we are not exactly a traditional family values party anymore, are we now?

Matters of Spirit

Better day today -- work was not as long!  This is good!  Got a project out the door and did some little things.  Funny, because that is what I did out of work as well -- going through some links, caught up on some of the emails backing up, that sort of thing.  I may even watch a movie or documentary tonight, though I am tempted to go and get some rest by hitting the hay early.  I have much to do, though...

‘I Think He Means It’: Scott Bessent’s Endgame - POLITICO
I rather like the guy, and I am glad he is around -- he is quite right that the debt is unsustainable and the government spending is out of control.  Though, of course, as he notes, it will take time, and many other things will have to happen.  With this President and his record of consistency, and the narrow majority in the House (or the Senate), we don't really have the time.  Hence the DOGE and the massive and sudden plans to cut government.  I am mostly in favor of this, but of course... well, I would prefer a little more regular order, if you get the drift.

It's Holy Week!  Hard to believe!  OK, most of the "fun" starts Thursday, but still, this is something of a special and momentous time.  I have been praying and reading Scripture a bit more, which I think is... good. That is one thing about Easter; as it is not secularized by the media, it is largely ignored, and thus it just pops up on you.

In other news, our "Do Not Assist" list -- the list of people who try to scam SVDP or are problem children of God -- is growing, and I think I am sending out updates every week.  Couple of parishes reached out to me to ask what to do when people keep calling.  It is a good question; I mean, most people just don't respond.  I have told people that we cannot help them -- sometimes I say you have been helped once and we have an annual limit, and others time I tell the actual truth, that there have been complaints about their behavior and we cannot help them.  As you can imagine, neither answer goes over well, but as I told one of my parishes, it is not as if they stop calling.  Sigh.

Responsibility

Long day.  Good, but long.  And a bit tired.  I had a follow up appointment with a wound care person for the biopsy hole on my knee, which is healing fairly well (so they said).  I mean, I guess I am glad I went, but it is stuff like this that makes wonder just why healthcare is so expensive in this country.

RFK Jr.: If you eat doughnuts or smoke, should society pay for your health care?
As I so often say, thanx to Obamacare -- when I pay for so much more of other peoples' health care -- this is something that is more of a thing, and that this IS something we should be considering.  To be sure, it is not very popular among the people who smoke and eat doughnuts, but those of us who don't do these things, well, it is wonderful.  More to the point -- given how fat and unhealthy we are -- this is hardly a bad thing to think about.  Reducing obesity and the diseases caused by these things would be ideal for reducing health care costs, and of course no one ever thinks about that.  But...maybe we should!

Trump’s education agenda leaves ‘a political void’ for Democrats to fill - POLITICO
Again, the way to combat this should be to say "Gee, it is the Democrats who fucked this up, so why would you trust them again?"  I mean, Dems do it all the time to us, so you would think that we would be MORE than happy to do the same, but we just seem to shrink from it.  We need to do this, actually -- point out what went wrong, who did it, and why what WE want to do will make sure that it NEVER happens again.

Remarks from Congressman Ro Khanna: A New Economic Patriotism, Not a New Gilded Age | 4.14.2025
Similarly...I listened to this today.  The man can talk, in that Obama way, but, again... all of the stuff he discussed...well, Democrats broke it.  NAFTA was Clinton.  COVID -- and the response to it, especially the critics of it -- broke national polity.  Hell, even the "The Supreme Court has made their decision, let them enforce it" was of course an Andrew Jackson quote.  Again, I did not expect that the crowd here would call him out on it, but someone out there should be doing it

Checking Back In

Slept in this morning; didn't really want to, but I guess it was good for me...I mean, I was able to get all of the things done I wanted to do...hit the gym, hit two banks (money to pay HELOC, then paying of HELOC...ouch), Krakow Deli for kielbasa and some paska bread they had, Breads and Beyond for their paska bread, and then the grocery store.  As I told my sister, all I did was spend money, and while I can afford it -- Easter is but once a year, after all -- I think we all know how I feel about that.  Anyways, it is fine, and most of the stuff is in the freezer for later in the week.  Rah.

I wonder if we will have trade certainty this week/month.  Or, even better, a sense of normalcy and maybe even some market gains, especially if and when countries start making deals with the US.  Considering the complexity of an average trade deal, I am not holding my breath, but...as I say at work all the time, China does not play fair and has not played fair for decades, so...I don't have a problem with it, and I think politically, many in the US feel the same way.

Lent is flying by -- Palm Sunday tomorrow.  My notepad of Lenten reflections is quite thin, and the weather is getting slightly better?  I mean, it is still cold -- the backyard was quite muddy while walking the grapefruit rinds to the compost pile -- and not pleasant.  I would like to crack open the doors and windows for some spring cleaning, but I do not see that happening for a few days.  Alas.  I guess there are other things I can clean around here -- starting with the fridge, or the stove -- so I should probably get to work.

Finished book 14 yesterday.  A couple of thicker ones are on the horizon, which will impede my progress, and I have a sheaf of films to watch... I wish I had some more time, of course, but don't we all?

Standing By Your Orange Man

I realize this is a broken record around here, but I have not been sleeping well, and today I was feeling it -- skipped the gym, caught up on back episodes of J!, did some more SVDP and food pantry stuff, and hung out here so I can in theory get to bed before midnight.  In theory, of course!  At least I got to catch up on things, read some articles, clean out links, etc.  Rah.  I did notice that the book pile is getting higher, the food gift cards are still the same, and the stuff on my desk is piling up... maybe this weekend I will handle this in part.  Hell, I haven't been able to finish the book I am working on now.  Sigh.

The Catholics Who Have to Worship Somewhere Else
This could be me, but this is....dumb?  Odd?  People are exciting about going to Mass and you go around and tell them they shouldn't be?  This is the sort of stuff, I think, that really rankle about the Francis papacy, and then it gets transferred to other things.  I think it is something of an unforced error.  Of course, in the words of POTUS, "Hold my Diet Coke."

Trust Unshaken: Trump Voters Are Sticking With Their Guy - WSJ
Couple of friends and I were discussing this...lately when I am driving around I have been noticing this.  Lots of people still have Trump signs and flags up (I think it is a bit gauche), and I have not yet noticed any home that has taken them down.  I suspect some of these people are new and true believers, and a lot of these people are convinced that Trump is right on trade (and I think he is, but it is quite hard to put Humpty Dumpty back together again), and they will see him through.  But I wonder how long it will last. 

RFK Jr. vowed to upend American health care. It's happening faster than expected. - POLITICO
Similarly, I think this is what a lot of Trump voters (if not GOPers) wanted -- someone who is tearing shit up, cutting government (ok, the real GOPers want that), and in short being disruptive.  Now, I am not sure that a Kennedy is the proper vehicle of this change, but I don't doubt that it is not the Republican voters who are complaining about DOGE.

Public Health Can’t Stop Making the Same Nutrition Mistake
This IS the belly of the beast, and if Robert Kennedy -- or anyone can fix this, God bless them.  I think we know we are not healthy, but... I can assure you I would rather eat chips more often than not, but I don't do so...but plenty of people do not have diabetes and thus know not to.  They are correct that even small improvements will bring savings, but if there is one thing we know, it is that inertia is the American way...

Habemus Coachem

Well, today has been an interesting day...

Bessent flew to Florida to lobby Trump on tariff message - POLITICO
I think this is the most surprising thing to report.  I made a comment at work today that we could have had this tariff pause -- without the pause -- at any time last Wednesday, or whenever, and without the drama, stock market motion, etc.  I realize that the Donald does not operate that way, but the markets and most other people in the government do, so...   anyways, I am not sure why we have chosen the course of actions that we have.  There is an argument to be made that people would not come to the table if they weren't sure the Donald would pull the tariff pin, but...

In other news, CSU has a new coach.  I got a kick out of the reports that Bob Huggins was being considered for the role.  I didn't realize he is at 935 wins (and a HOFer), so I can see why he wants back in; given CSU's recent success, it would be 3 years to get 1,000, assuming he had that success.  Honestly...well, I would say health-wise he might not, but 3 years seems to be the running term for CSU coaches nowadays, so... more seriously, the man has...baggage.  I can see why he would not be hired, even if he was willing to work cheap.  Back to the guy who was hired...sure?  He knows the program and the conference, knows what happens if you win (and if you make the NCAA Tournament), so, why not?  There is probably something to be said for hiring a young and unproven coach, instead of some retread.

Parish reconciliation service was tonight, and I (of course) went.  I do like these things -- most parishes have one, and even if most people do not avail themselves of it... I think 3/4 of the people there were from our Polish community, and much as I joke about them being Democrats and moral degenerates... if anything, it shows how important they are to the parish, and the shame that our other parish community does not show up for these things.  Oi.

Liberation, Feelings of

Funny; I woke up this morning and saw a coating of snow, and I was like (of course) "behold the power of global warming!"  The day improved, however -- sun came out, a bit of warm, I ran an errand and while it was a bit cold, it was sort of beautiful.  Then the rain came, and while I was at the gym it turned into wet snow, and when I looked outside before it got dark...well, the yard was covered with snow again.  Joy.  Not like I have to travel anywhere, thank God, and it could be worse.  

My day was quite...calm?  Couple of meetings, got through some projects at work, cleared the decks for other things tomorrow, and today I went through some interviews and articles.  I had planned on watching some movies today, but I got caught up on stuff, and thus...tomorrow is another day.  I watched two films yesterday.  One was "The Forgotten Battle," about the Allied efforts to clear the Scheldt/Walcheren during WWII (quite good), and another was "Limbo" an Australian film starring Simon Baker ("The Mentalist," I think) as a detective trying to solve a cold case involving the indigenous community.  Good; dark, slow, and silent, but compelling.  I do have a pile of emails with Kanopy recommendations, and I should get to work on watching them, to say nothing of the entries to the National Film Registry...

We were right: New books expose truth about Biden's failing health. I'm furious. | Opinion
Destined for Defeat: Behind the Democratic Disaster of 2024

As I mentioned on Facebook, I will try to read these as soon as I can.  I will get them from the library (not paying for them!) and I have 599 other books to read, but... again, the idea that the press covered for the guy is absolutely infuriating (but completely unsurprising).  Hunter Biden was the most influential advisor?  Dare I say the man doesn't exactly show good judgment?  In the meantime, all of this tariff...uncertainty, if you will, obviates the Democrats' circular firing squad... as I mentioned at work today, I am not sure what the end game is here, and I don't the markets (or anyone else) do either, which adds to the uncertainty.  I guess it is good that Trump thrives on this, but I would need a drip of Alka-Selzer...

Gotterdammerung

Well, this is my 2000th post, and while I wished for happier times... well, the Duke loss has put something of a pall on the day.  Alas.  I mean, Duke has pissed away leads before, and will do so again, this one is going to sting a while.  

Jon Scheyer Under Fire for Coaching Decision in Duke's Stunning Final Four Loss to Houston
There is something to this, though if he calls the plays and they do not execute... well, not much can be done.  And of course there was the ticky-tacky call on Flagg on the FT -- I don't ever want to hear that Duke gets all the calls ever again!  But, calls should not matter.  The sad part is that all of this talent assembled didn't win.  I realize next year they and the dark money will bring in more talent, but...

In other news, after Mass and the gym, I went to Best Buy and bought a TV, as mine went out yesterday.  Sigh.  (I watched Duke on the laptop.)  I have to admit, I grew up when TVs were furniture -- big and expensive -- and now, they can be big and expensive, but mine -- a 42-incher for $169 -- was not.  I mean, you can get literally any TV you want, any size, any picture quality, full integration with gaming and apps... it is impressive.  I decided to get the install, as I cannot do it -- trust me, I have tried -- and even with the Best Buy membership it is almost as much as the TV.  On the other hand, I paid for my taxes to be done and it was worth every penny, so... you get to a point in life and you don't want to muck around. Anyways, the install will be Tuesday, which is fine.  I mean, I have spent a bit lately -- this,  Jug tix, a concert ticket -- and while I can afford, and it is the family/friends... well, we all know how I feel about that.

Keeping Voyager Alive: NASA’s Project Scientist Faces Painful Choices as the Iconic Mission Nears Its End
Cool story.  I mean, this is interesting, though -- given how long these things have lasted -- they should be pleased they are running at all, and why I think we should be... thrilled that these things are working, even in a reduced condition.

Funny; I literally have nothing to do today, and it is quite nice.  I mean, I will watch the women's national championship, and hopefully I will watch a movie or two that I need to watch, but it's that, read, and maybe do some cleaning or go through stuff.  It is really quite nice, and in some ways it would happen more, though I think we all know I do poorly with idleness...

Into the Maelstrom

I don't want to think about all of the tariff articles I was sent, referred to, etc.; ditto for all of the videos.  I mean, I watched a couple of the one I found most interesting, and read of those by writers who I think are quality scribes -- several of which I didn't agree with.  Don't get me wrong; I like to be fair and balanced, and you can never learn enough, but... unlike, say, college basketball, there are some times when enough is more than enough.  As for me... as I mentioned several times, I largely agree with the need to expand our manufacturing and production base, reduce the flow of fentanyl into the country, etc., but on the flip side, we cannot flip a switch and start producing everything now.  The delta (I use this phrase now, oi) is the economic dislocation.  Given that Trump was elected on his ability to keep costs down and steward the economy, the timing of all of this is exceptionally... odd.

Call me crazy, but I am going to try and complete the "Calculacinema" puzzle in Games magazine.  I am hoping with the Internet I can solve it, though if I have to check out some films...well, I should.  Been a while since I have watched any on the NFR, though, again, March Madness and crazy work has made it difficult.  Yes, I could watch now, but...the NIT Championship is quite competitive -- mid-major teams with people who could be playing their last game ever, and you can tell...

Odd -- my blood sugar spiked a couple of times during the day; not sure why.  Nerves? Stress?  Worry about the sutured hole above my knee?  I have to admit, for all of the care I did to it yesterday...today it was back to normal...so here I am, laying on the floor and watching J!

Northeast Ohio education experts discuss pandemic learning loss | Sound of Ideas - YouTube
I think this is why I avoid these sorts of shows (and also why we need to defund PBS, NPR, and all of it).  They brought on the exact types of people who advocated for the policies that caused our kids to go into the crapper, educationally, and then they have the temerity to say that they would do it again??  This woman shouldn't even be hosing out the video booths at those places on Brookpark Road...

Grifterism: The Economic Engine of Democrats › American Greatness
Quite true; actually, sort of sad that someone was able to put together an all-encompassing list of the ways we are being grifted.

Sen. Bernie Moreno Had the Perfect Response to CNN Host's Questions About Trump's Tariffs
This is pretty good, actually; I realize our local paper likes to dump on the guy, but...well, considering the crappy job they do with everything, it might be something of a compliment.

Beyond March Madness, colleges face sports betting issue - ESPN
This could be me, but considering how the NCAA promotes this at every opportunity... what did they think would happen?

Cutting Away

I had my first biopsy today... I have this rash/like thing on my knee; my MD said it looked like psoriasis, and suggested a dermatologist.  Off I went this morning, and she was like... maybe.  Or, it looks like psoriasis, but I don't really have any of the other symptoms, so... let's cut me open and look.  I had to agree, not that I was a huge fan -- why don't we treat it as psoriasis and then worry about it later, but as someone who loves ever pimple-popping video ever made, I couldn't say no.  So there it was.  The injection of the painkiller was worse than the procedure -- sort of stung a bit -- but I was completely numb when they spliced me open.  It bled through the bandage -- change and clean daily, monitor for worse -- but has no other issues for me (so far).  Rah.

I watched the Trump tariff presser -- work was interested, I assure you -- and it was quite interesting.  As for the tariffs... I noted that China has been cheating for years, and no one is going to complain that they are getting hammered by this.  Trump -- for all his flaws -- can really do a press conference.  The thing with the placard with all of the countries -- not just the dirty 15 now! -- was classic, as was the part about bringing up the auto worker.  I mentioned that my dad was a UAW member and Democrat, and he was spinning in the urn that a GOP President was doing something to save the US auto industry...but also that this explains how the shift in the GOP base -- from rich white guys to the working class.  I will admit that the man has his flaws, but for a certain part of the electorate... after the results of yesterday -- warning lights for the GOP -- this might be a solution.  Less Elon, more exposure of government waste, and some Trump doing his thing.  Will it work?  Meh.  I think we have seen -- many times -- that an angry minority can get out the vote more than the current party, with disastrous results.  Given how narrow the GOP majority is...

Food stamp nation - Don Surber
As I approach the 20th anniversary of my food pantry service, I can say that this is completely correct, and that this is something that we can easily -- well, fairly easily -- fix.  Now, do we want to?  Probably not, though if there is a time to do it, now would be, given the Trump push to cut government spending and the MAHA movement.

Basketball on the Brain...

I have to admit the coaching carousel in college has been interesting.  Sean Miller to Texas, where hopefully his sojourn with the Jesuit values of Xavier will have served him well.  The Villanova hire of Kevin Willard is amusing; this could be me, but it seemed that MD wasn't happy with him when he was there, and is more unhappy that he is gone.  So their kvetching seems a little... odd, to put it mildly.  They get a good coach in Buzz Williams, so... it may work out.  Left unsaid of course is that these guys will be making big money.  In the pre-NIL era these guys would make it and not the "student athletes," but now... yes it is unsightly but they deserve it too.  Oh, CSU needs a new coach.  Maybe a bit odd -- 3 20-W seasons, but no NCAA tourney... Dennis Gates made one and got to the SEC, so there must be a premium for making the Big Dance...

Shannon Sharpe Tears Into ‘Nasty’ Kim Mulkey For Snapping At Reporter After Loss | OutKick
On to the women's game... I guess I am of both schools?  It was a dumb question, and only a reporter wouldn't know that, of course.  So once that pretense had been dropped, I have no problem with her going off and shitting on the guy.  On the other hand, she is not exactly nice to reporters in general, and while I will never sleep over that... well, I think she could handle herself as well.  It is entertaining, at least.  Can't complain about that.

Keeping with the women, I couldn't help but note that going against Geno now is unwise.  Yet, I could not help but think that with JuJu, this was a different game.   Alas.

Strickland criticizes pope over ‘siren call of sodomy’ in Mar-a-Lago letter
I have to admit that I like the guy, and when he does stuff like this...well, so much the better.